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MELBOURNE, Sunday - A determined batting effort by England only delayed the inevitable and Australia are poised to chalk up another victory probably before lunch and go 4-nil up in a Five Test series at the MCG tomorrow.

England did well to bat almost the entire fourth day after continuing from their overnight score of 2 for 111. They were finally dismissed for 387 gaining a lead of 106 which left Australia 107 for victory. In the two overs faced by the Aussies openers Justin Langer and Mathew Hayden they made 8 without loss and when play continues tomorrow need another 99 to claim victory.

As for England they can be well satisfied by their batting effort in the second innings. This is the first time in the Orange Ashes series that the Englishmen have taken a Test in the series to the fifth day. In the previous Tests the Kangaroos have devoured them by the fourth day.

It was opener Michael Vaughan who showed the batsmen following how. With his immense concentration, determination and will to stay put at the wicket he was an example to his teammates.

Skipper Hussain 23, Robert Key 52, Crawley 33, and Craig White 21 gave Vaughan the necessary support to frustrate the Aussie bowlers and make them sweat for the wickets.

Vaughan has so far had a very successful series with the bat and has been the most consistent England batsman. In his big innings of 145 he played some delightful strokes allround the wicket and studded this innings with 19 fours and three well timed sixes.

Robert Key who made no score in the first innings made amends with a fighting 52 to prolong his team's innings. For the Australians the bowler to show that he should be a regular in the Aussie line up and who mesmerised the Englishmen batsmen with his well disguised leg spinners and googlies was Stuart MacGill. Skipper Waugh showed the faith in him by bowling him for long spells and MacGill obliged returning the fantastic figures of 5 for 152 in 47 well controlled overs.

Australians are lucky to have a bowler of the calibre of MacGill. When ever Warne gas been injured and MacGill has been summoned, he has obliged and spun his team to victory. It was no different in this Test. It is a pity that he won't be in their World Cup squad to South Africa as Warne will be fit.

While McGrath and Lee failed to exploit the fourth day wicket, Gillespie responded bowling a tight line and length as he did in the first innings to again claim three wickets.

When victory is achieved the Aussies will go 4 up and on form should wrap up the final Test in Sydney beginning on Wednesday and make a clean sweep which will be a historic event in their cricket. The Sydney Test could also be the end of the road for skipper Waugh.

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